| MEDIA ADVISORY/NEWS RELEASE |
DATE: “April 25, 2025” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Incident Number: 2025-8178 Crime/Incident: Missing Person Location: Old State Highway in Gualala, CA Date of Incident: 04-24-2025 Time: 04:15 A.M. Victim(s): Missing Person Clifford Souza (74-year-old male from Gualala, CA) Suspect(s): N/A Written By: Sergeant Brandon Lee #1303 Synopsis: On 04/24/2025 at approximately 4:15 A.M., the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office was informed of a possible missing person / overdue motorist in the area of Gualala, CA. The missing person was identified as 74-year-old Clifford Souza of Gualala. Souza was reported to have last been seen on 04/23/2025 when he left his home and was driving to Martinez, CA. Souza was expected to return to his home in Gualala during the evening of 04/23/25, but never arrived. Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies immediately began checking Souza’s cell phone and vehicle location data. Souza’s gray 2021 Ford Ranger pickup was equipped with Ford Pass, which allows authorized vehicle user(s) to track vehicle activity, status, and location when active. All of Souza’s vehicle and cell phone activity on 04/23/25 appeared to have been occurring in Sonoma County. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office was notified of these findings and a BOLO (Be On the Look Out) for Souza was issued to neighboring counties and law enforcement jurisdictions. A “Silver Alert” was initiated utilizing the California Highway Patrol’s (CHP) ENTAC (Emergency Notification and Tactical Alert Center) based upon Souza’s medical history and possible “at risk” status. Additional “All Points Bulletin” (APB) alerts were sent out to neighboring state, county, and city agencies utilizing secure law enforcement notification platforms which allow more sensitive / personal information to be shared with confidentiality. Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Deputies conducted routine roadside searches of potential highways and Sonoma County roads that Souza may have been travelling on 04/23/25 based upon limited cell phone activity and movement tracked by cellular service companies. The California Highway Patrol deployed a helicopter to search the coastal state Highway 1 and cliff edges from the area of Bodega Bay in Sonoma County to the area of Gualala in Mendocino County with negative results. Additional air operations from a United States Coast Guard helicopter were also utilized, but neither Souza nor his vehicle were located before nightfall on 04/24/2025. Search efforts continue today on 04/25/2025 but have not been successful in locating Souza or his vehicle. Souza is described as a white male adult with gray hair and hazel eyes, approximately 6’00” tall, 220 pounds, wearing a dark-colored shirt or jacket and tan pants. Souza’s vehicle is described as a gray 2021 Ford Ranger with California license plate #77443E3. Refer to the attached Silver Alert from the CHP for additional details and information. This is an active missing person investigation and anyone with information regarding the whereabouts or who have had contact with Clifford Souza on 04/23/25 or 04/24/25 are encouraged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 707-463-4086 (option 1). Information may also be provided anonymously by calling the non-emergency tip-line at 707-234-2100. Approved by: Captain Quincy Cromer #2651 |
